Industry News

Cloud use bolsters employee collaboration

Chief executives are continuing to find new ways to implement the cloud in their business models. The technology carries with it a wide range of advantages that can be felt through all levels of the company hierarchy.

Cloud computing allows businesses to streamline their operations by making valuable company information easier to store, access, back up and share. The cloud has also created a number of different ways for ways for employees to interact with one another at the workplace. The technology has significantly bolstered in-office employee engagement by easing the process of data sharing.

A host of studies show that a more satisfied and engaged worker is much more productive than one who is not passionate about his or her work. As a result, marketing and human resources departments are shifting their models to keep pace with the evolution of the digital workplace.

Cloud and collaboration rise together
TechRadar Pro recently spoke with Per Wising, the head of research and development at Projectplace, the online project management software firm, about the emergence of cloud collaboration.

"Collaboration and project management tools go hand in hand with the rise of cloud computing as more and more businesses invest in the technology," Wising told the news outlet. "There has been a marked rise in the number of satellite teams, made up of in-house suppliers and freelancers spread across different geographies – meaning that there is a greater demand for online tools that can bring the team together online."

Wising also noted that mobility of the cloud will soon play a key role in workplace collaboration. As companies depend more on the cloud, there will be a greater number of mobile apps that will encourage employees to use laptops, smartphones and tablets.

HR departments embrace the cloud
Jerome Forde, the managing director of Forde HR Solutions, recently spoke with The Independent about the rise of cloud computing among human resources departments. While the cloud makes outsourcing much more affordable, it is also now widely accepted in the industry.

"Our services can be divided into two main areas," Forde told The Independent. "Firstly, we look after the HR needs of small- and medium-sized businesses who do not have the resources to manage their HR responsibilities in-house. We do this largely through an outsourced model using cloud-based technology, where our software system managers a company's requirements such as employee contracts, attendance, holidays and sick leave."